Ukraine has not yet convinced Donald Trump to put enough pressure on Russia to force it to negotiate a peace agreement. That is why it is using a new lobbying tactic: nominating the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize, reports "Reuters".
With the American leader openly lusting for the prestigious award, President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed the idea at a briefing two days before the announcement of this year's winner.
"If Trump gives the world - first of all the Ukrainian people - a chance for such a ceasefire, then yes, he should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize," Zelensky pointed out. "We will nominate him on behalf of Ukraine."
The Ukrainian president has been working hard to win Trump's support and appears to be making some progress.
Tomahawk missiles are at the top of Kiev's wish list for American weapons. They are seen as capable of inflicting serious damage on Russia and forcing it to the negotiating table. Trump, who has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has signaled he is open to providing them.
He said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, given to four of his predecessors in the White House, for "his efforts to secure numerous peace agreements."
They included a claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan - something India has denied. Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced today after a ceasefire and hostage swap deal were announced under Trump's initiative to end the war in Gaza.
Last week, a group of Ukrainian lawmakers introduced a motion asking their colleagues to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that it was a critical demonstration of loyalty to a strategic partner.
"If we cannot show today that Ukraine and the Ukrainian parliament absolutely and completely support Donald Trump and his peace plans, then what can we talk about?", said MP Anna Skorokhod.
Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prizes each year close on January 31. The commission members can make their own nominations no later than their first meeting in February.
Kyiv is not the only government waging a wooing campaign.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday that Trump deserves the honor if he can persuade China to refrain from using force against the island.